cubes-in-multidimensional-models.md

title	Cubes in Multidimensional Models | Microsoft Docs
ms.custom
ms.date	06/13/2017
ms.prod	sql-server-2014
ms.reviewer
ms.technology	analysis-services
ms.topic	conceptual
helpviewer_keywords	OLAP objects [Analysis Services], cubes cubes [Analysis Services], about cubes cubes [Analysis Services] OLAP [Analysis Services], cubes
ms.assetid	e0f7acf3-4b07-41fc-a5fc-ac30b4a56c54
author	minewiskan
ms.author	owend
manager	craigg

Cubes in Multidimensional Models

A cube is a multidimensional structure that contains information for analytical purposes; the main constituents of a cube are dimensions and measures. Dimensions define the structure of the cube that you use to slice and dice over, and measures provide aggregated numerical values of interest to the end user. As a logical structure, a cube allows a client application to retrieve values, of measures, as if they were contained in cells in the cube; cells are defined for every possible summarized value. A cell, in the cube, is defined by the intersection of dimension members and contains the aggregated values of the measures at that specific intersection.

Benefits of Using Cubes

A cube provides a single place where all related data, for analysis, is stored.

Components of Cubes

A cube is composed of:

Element	Description
Dimensions	Dimensions in Multidimensional Models
Measures and Measure Groups	Create Measures and Measure Groups in Multidimensional Models
Partitions	Partitions in Multidimensional Models
Perspectives	Perspectives in Multidimensional Models
Hierarchies	Create User-Defined Hierarchies
Actions	Actions in Multidimensional Models
Key Performance Indicators (KPI)	Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) in Multidimensional Models
Calculations	Calculations in Multidimensional Models
Translations	Translations in Multidimensional Models

Related Tasks

Topic	Description
Create a Cube Using the Cube Wizard	Describes how to use the Cube Wizard to define a cube, dimensions, dimension attributes, and user-defined hierarchies.
Create Measures and Measure Groups in Multidimensional Models	Describes how to define measure groups.
Calculations in Multidimensional Models	Describes how to define and configure a calculation in an MDX script.
Actions in Multidimensional Models	Describes how to define and configure an action.
Perspectives in Multidimensional Models	Describes how to define and configure a perspective.
Defining Stored Procedures	Describes how to work with stored procedures.